When we talk about teen dramas, some TV shows come quickly to mind. From The O.C. to Gossip Girl, these are all well-known shows about the trials and tribulations of being a high schooler and figuring out who you were. But while some of the titles in this genre have become household names, a few newer series have remained under the radar. Among them is Heartbreak High, a two-season Australian series on Netflix all about depicting fully-rounded teenagers as they navigate the teenage experience through love, sex, and, of course, heartbreak.
The series, which was created by Hannah Carroll Chapman and first premiered on September 14, 2022, is a stellar teen drama that packs emotion and high stakes while still being all about teenage angst, love and friendship. The long-awaited Season 3 of the series will be premiering next week on March 25, so there’s no better time than now to tune in and catch up.
‘Heartbreak High’ Is a Must-Watch Teen Drama
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There are a few reasons why Heartbreak High has become one of Netflix’s most must-watch teen dramas. Among them is the fact that while some storylines are silly and trivial, like any high school teen series, some other plot points are packed with emotional depth and high stakes. At the beginning of the series, for instance, main character Amerie Wadia (Ayesha Madon) is blindsided when her best friend of many years, Harper (Asher Yasbincek), suddenly fights with her and breaks up their friendship.
As she tries to piece together what happened, a map that she and Harper created about the school’s sexcapades, aka the Incest Map, gets exposed and Amerie is labeled as the culprit and a social pariah. The rest of the series then follows everyone who’s mentioned on the map as they’re forced to attend the Sexual Literacy Tutorial Class, AKA SLTs, pronounced “sluts.” As new friendships blossom between the group, and major secrets get revealed, Amerie works to restore her friendship with Harper, console her into remember what happened, and be there for her in her time of need.
By Season 2, Amerie and Harper are on steadier ground, and the series shifts focus to some secondary characters. A highlight is the story following the neurodivergent side of Quinni (Chloé Hayden), which shows viewers how she thinks and processes the world around her. After one eureka moment, she drops her mask and shares her genuine opinions of people around her, while giving viewers a deeper understanding of her character. Quinni’s crisis tests her friendships, while splitting up her first real relationship in a heartbreaking moment.
Another important storyline for the second season is Darren (James Majoos) as he attempts to figure out his feelings for Ca$h (Will McDonald) after he gets out of jail. And when they do hit their groove, a new sexual hurdle challenges them and their connection like never before. Therefore, while Amerie’s drama still remains central to the show, and even includes her tracking down a stalker and visiting an abortion clinic after a night with Malaki (Thomas Weatherall), the series dives deep into many of the characters’ backstories, making them all complex, multidimensional and, most importantly, feel real.
What Will ‘Heartbreak High’ Season 3 Be About?
The second season of Heartbreak High premiered almost two years ago on April 11, 2024, so fans of the show can’t wait to see Hartley High’s third and final chapter. The installment, which will premiere next week on March 25, will follow the returning characters as they become seniors and prepare to bid farewell to the memories they’ve shared in high school. Per the trailer, the season will be packed with drama, including the intense fallout after a senior revenge prank goes wrong. “I messed up really, really bad,” Amerie says in the trailer. “One of our mates did this, we’re going to figure out which one.”
Also teased in the trailer is a new love interest for Amerie, played by Ioane Sa’ula. While a new character is certainly exciting, the series will likely set up another love triangle between Amerie, Malakai and the newcomer, which will surely be the crux of the emotional weight this season. “There is nothing going on between me and Malakai,” Amerie says in the trailer. Only time will tell if that’s true.
With that said, with Season 3 of Heartbreak High around the corner, there’s no time like now to watch and catch up. With hilarious, punchy storylines and moments of genuine despair, betrayal and hurt, the series balances the rare feat of being a teen drama that’s not only entertaining, but emotionally moving too. Viewers root for each of the characters, even the most troubled ones, and that’s where the show finds its magic.
